Taylor Burroughs spent his summer on the golden coast securing a gold medal for the Canadian Pure Maple Roller Hockey Team.

On July. 19, Burroughs and the Canadian team defeated Northern California based NCR Konixx Elite Club 4-3 in overtime to claim gold at the North American Roller Hockey Championships in Irvine, Calif. The local product had a hand in the golden goal that made it all possible.

“It was especially amazing because it was the overtime winning goal. It was even more special because I was able to get an assist on the overtime goal. I passed it up and we scored and that was it, we won the gold medal right there,” said Burroughs.

The 14-year-old Spruce Grove hockey player spends his winters on the ice with the Parkland Athletic Club Saints, but during the summers, he turns his attention to inline hockey.

In the past, Burroughs spent time with the team Alberta Inline hockey team. It was at the tryout for team Alberta that a scout from the Canadian team noticed him, and offered him an opportunity to tryout.

“I decided I would try out not really expecting too much out of it. I didn’t think I would make it, but I had a really good tryout and I got the call that I made team Canada. I got to go play with a bunch of players I didn’t know yet in California,” said Burroughs.

Unlike Spruce Grove, there are few options for ice hockey in Irvine, and even fewer in the summer. In California, roller hockey is king. That is why Burroughs was unsure of what to expect heading into the tournament.

“A lot of kids don’t play ice hockey like they do here. They play inline. It’s definitely difficult down there because those guys are pros. They know exactly how to do everything and the best strategies of the roller hockey game,” said Burroughs. “We needed to play it like ice hockey and with a lot of speed to get around their systems.”

Any nerves he had were quickly settled as Canada took out the California High Rollers 6-3 to open the tournament. From there, they steamrolled the Yuma Blaze 6-2 before beating the Warrior Revolution team out of San Jose 5-1 and the NCR Konixx Elite Club 7-3.

In the semifinal, they beat the Warrior Revolution 3-2, setting the stage for a rematch with the NCR Konixx Elites for gold. There, Burroughs waited until it mattered most to make his mark on the game, delivering the pass that lead to the gold medal winning overtime goal.

“It’s quite nerve-racking, being in overtime in the gold medal game. The stakes are high. If they get a goal they can end it, but I was also excited my coach gave me opportunity and put me on the court during that time,” said Burroughs.

He celebrated with his teammates, mother, and siblings. Father Tim Burroughs stayed home from the trip for work, but managed to find a few minutes to watch the overtime period via Facebook live while on break.

“To find out he was selected to play on the Canadian Pure Maple team was a surprise, but a real honour. To see them win, was quite amazing. I was super ecstatic. One of the parents we had met through the tournament was streaming it. I was watching on my lunch hour. It was very exciting to see them score that goal,” said Tim Burroughs.

With his midget year upcoming, Taylor Burroughs has turned his attention to preparing hard in the gym and on the ice for the upcoming PAC Saints midget try outs. In the meantime, he’s also letting the fact that he won a North American championship for his country fully sink in.

“I was just very happy to win a gold medal and really proud to represent my county,” said Taylor Burroughs.